JEFFERSON CITY -Visitors heading to the Missouri State Fair in Sedalia this year from Aug. 11-21 will find out "It's A Show-Me Thing!" The Missouri Department of Transportation is gearing up to show visitors a few new surprises during the fair, particularly on Friday, Aug. 12, which is MoDOT Day.

"The Missouri State Fair is a unique but fun place for Missourians to learn more about what's going on with their state transportation system," says Don Hillis, MoDOT assistant chief engineer.

MoDOT Day will feature special activities including a rare appearance by Barrel Bob who will be available to answer work zone and other questions, free trash can painting, free popcorn and puppet shows. An Adopt-A-Highway table will be set up for those interested in helping clean up roadsides.

All other days of the fair, the Transportation Exposition Center will be fully loaded with interactive displays on the department's programs and activities featuring games, contests and donated giveaways. Kids and adults can participate in a transportation scavenger hunt and enter to win an iPad and case, donated by KTU Constructors, or try to win concert event tickets by participating in the secret word contest on MoDOT's Facebook. Fairgoers won't want to miss playing driving games on the computers in the expo center, or trying out the Convincer in the Gardens. Other displays include a bridge beam, a message stressing the importance of not texting and driving, an illustration of how far transportation has come over the years and a couple of other brand new surprises that fairgoers won't want to miss.